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“Hallelujah” sang by Matthew Schuler

 

I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

But you don't really care for music, do you?

It goes like this

The fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

The baffled king composing Hallelujah

 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

 

Your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof

Her beauty in the moonlight overthrew you

She tied you to a kitchen chair

She broke your throne, and she cut your hair

And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

 

Baby I have been here before

I know this room, I've walked this floor

I used to live alone before I knew you.

I've seen your flag on the marble arch

Love is not a victory march

It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

 

There was a time when you let me know

What's really going on below

But now you never show it to me, do you?

And remember when I moved in you

The holy dove was moving too

And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

 

I did my best, it wasn't much

I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch

I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you

And even though it all went wrong

I'll stand before the Lord of Song

With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

 

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah

“Hallelujah” originally written by Leonard Cohen, and made famous by Jeff Buckley is arguably one of the best songs that fits Claudius’ emotional state in Act 3 scene 3. Claudius says, “O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven…A brother’s murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will. My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent…But O, what form of prayer can serve my turn? “Forgive me my foul murder?”…Help, angels! Make assay” (Act 3. iii 40-42, 55-56, 73). In this scene, Claudius pleas and asks for forgiveness. He feels guilty for murdering his brother. The song Hallelujah best represents this scene because Hallelujah means “God be praised” or "Glory to the Lord". It’s typically uttered in worship. 

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